Vietnamese Boat People
The purpose of this paper is to provide guidance to each of our delegations as to initiatives which could be taken in the context of each country's broader strategies in the area. It should be read in conjunction with the ICG consensus paper of October 1987.
The objectives of any response to the current situation of Vietnamese boat people would be to:
-press for the continuation of the principle and practice of first asylum.
-support UNHCR access to all such asylum seekers.
-reduce the apparent advantages of departure of persons by clandestine and unsafe means.
-note the need to provide an appropriate response to the differing needs of arrivals depending on the validity of their claims to international refugee protection.
-note the legitimate sovereign concerns of first asylum countries.
-recognise the role and responsibilities of the country of origin.
In order to achieve these objectives the following general measures should be considered:
-promote the use of orderly departure programs and other means of legal departure.
-adjust resettlement criteria and operations to deter humanely, clandestine departures.
-relieve first asylum countries of as many persons eligible for resettlement as possible.
-encourage Viet Nam to take steps to deal with the involvement of its personnel in the movement of people through Cambodia.
-promote measures to induce Viet Nam to accept the notion of return of its citizens in accordance with the guidelines set down in the ICG consensus paper of October 1987.
-develop programs to determine the claims of new arrivals to international refugee protection (screening programs).
-pursue solutions other than resettlement for those not entitled to that response.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.